"…By the way, is it really all right for us to be here?" Groma Tray muttered. "We’ve just been swept along with the tide this far, so it’s a bit late to ask, but still…"
It really was a bit late for that.
"No, it’s fine. Since we’re currently under a Type 3 Emergency, every resident of Avalon is aware of the situation. There’s no issue with you being here. In fact, as acquaintances of Jin-dono and the teacher, you’re more than welcome."
Illumina Ratkin—Tomax Bartman’s deputy—spoke while looking at Groma, Eira, and Kachea in turn. Illumina was in her late twenties, a slender woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes. She was also one of Marikka’s former students.
A Type 3 Emergency was declared when something occurred that threatened the stability of Avalon. Unlike a Type 2, it was issued when the likelihood of actual combat was considered very low. It affected every resident of Avalon, save for a few civilians in areas like the commercial district. Students were no exception; they were required to either remain in their rooms or follow the instructions of administrators, such as professors or lecturers. Therefore, if an executive gave them the green light, they were fine.
"Currently, the remaining students are either under the care of the Academy President assisting with the investigation of the academic district, or they are working as apprentice members of the World Security Guard to help search the residential district."
Illumina informed them that she wanted Eira and her two companions to assist Maquina III in the latter role. All three agreed immediately.
"Jin-dono, I hate to impose, but we would appreciate your cooperation in uncovering the truth behind this disturbance."
"Of course."
Finally, it was decided that Marikka, Sion, Lordtoss, Ludmila, and Vita would conduct their own independent investigations within Avalon.
"By the way, where is Tomax?" Jin asked.
The man hadn't come out to greet them, nor had he shown his face, which made Jin curious.
"The Chief Administrator is currently being forced to rest," Illumina explained.
According to her, he had been working for over two straight days without a break. Those around him, unable to stand the sight of his exhaustion, had semi-forcibly sent him to sleep.
"…That must be rough," Jin remarked.
＊ ＊ ＊
Jin and Reiko were investigating the room that had belonged to Graham Derby.
"So this is the teleportation magic circle."
"An old model, I see," Reiko noted.
"Yeah. With this type, you can’t use it to travel from this side to the other."
Because the old-model teleportation magic circles were one-way, Jin suspected there had to be a return circle somewhere.
"There might be a return circle, or perhaps a communication device."
Acting on Laojun’s advice that there had to be a way to contact the mastermind somewhere, they were searching for any such clues.
"If such a thing exists, this room is the most likely place to find it."
"Indeed, Father."
The room seemed completely dormant. Even with Reiko’s sensors, nothing in Avalon was emitting suspicious mana waves. Consequently, they had to rely on a slow, methodical physical search.
"That leaves the ceiling."
Having finished with the floor and walls, Jin and Reiko turned their attention upward. This building did not have a crawlspace above the ceiling.
"Nothing…"
No matter how hard they looked, they couldn't find so much as a trace.
"…If that’s the case, then it really was just a one-way trip."
It would mean the circle’s only purpose was to deploy golems and automata. However, that felt unlikely.
"It just doesn’t make sense." Jin crossed his arms, falling into deep thought. "…That enemy automata we examined earlier didn’t have a communication function, either. It was just operating on pre-set instructions."
They had already checked its control core, but it had yielded no useful information.
"We’re stuck."
Jin looked frustrated. Reiko said nothing, but her lips were pressed together in a tight line, suggesting she felt the same.
"…Well, at least in this room," Jin added.
Reiko blinked, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
"That’s right. We’ve seen everything there is to see here. But there might be clues elsewhere.…Reiko, let’s go."
"Yes, Father!"
If he let every little setback discourage him, he’d never survive in research and development. Besides, Jin still carried the grit he'd earned while toiling for a "black company" back in modern Japan.
"Former Chief Administrator Graham Derby, huh… If he were going to hide something, where would it be?"
Jin mentally ran through the possibilities.
Unused rooms. Abandoned warehouses. Since the Pseudo-Gigas had emerged from a warehouse, that was a strong candidate. Then there were the less-populated areas of Avalon—the outer perimeter or spots where people rarely went. As the former Chief Administrator, Graham would have known exactly where those blind spots were. There was also the chance he was using something to conceal his tracks, just as he had with the giant golem.
"Is there some way to find out…"
Wandering around aimlessly wouldn't get them anywhere. Jin began to approach the problem from a different angle.
"All I need to do is make the hidden magi-devices react… That’s it!"
Jin hit upon an idea.
"Something like that Magi Emulator copy."
He recalled the trick used by the mysterious enemy during the Gonpetition in the Shouro Empire. They had varied the magical frequency of mana waves to forcibly override commands.
"I just need to build one of those."
While mapping out the necessary steps, Jin headed toward the Chief Administrator’s office with Reiko.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Jin-dono, thank you for your help."
Tomax Bartman, having returned to duty after four hours of sleep, greeted Jin. His complexion was still pale, but he clearly couldn't bring himself to stay in bed.
When Jin presented his proposal, Tomax agreed immediately.
"I see. It definitely sounds worth trying."
"Will the materials in the lab be enough?" Tomax asked.
Jin nodded. "Yes, I saw what I needed during the tour the other day."
He was thinking of their visit to the Go-lab.
"I should be able to manage if I have some magi-crystal and a bit of 64 light silver."
The bigger issue, Jin noted, was the personnel needed to confirm the results.
"I plan to force any hidden magi-devices or magi machines to react for just a split second. I’ll need people stationed across as wide an area as possible to spot those reactions."
"In that case, I shall assist as well."
Jin turned to see Maquina III approaching.
"A hundred of my golems have just arrived. I intend to have them help."
Golems could monitor an area five to ten times larger than a human could.
"That would be a massive help. In that case, I will activate the Modulation Commander at exactly noon."
It was currently 11:00 AM.
"S-So soon!?"
Only Tomax was shocked; Maquina III remained perfectly calm.
"Yes. Leave it to me. Please handle the notifications."
Leaving them with that, Jin headed for the research wing with Reiko.
＊ ＊ ＊
The headquarters managing Avalon sat on the eastern side of the 300-meter-wide Central Hole. To the north of the hole was the World Conference building, and to the northwest lay the academic area, which included the research wing.
After about ten minutes of walking, Jin and Reiko reached the research wing.
"Oh? Jin, what are you doing here?"
After knocking and receiving a reply, Jin entered the laboratory to find Eira Shiata staring at him in surprise. The others seemed to be out, likely following orders to join the search.
"Yeah, I have something I need to make, so I came to borrow the space."
"Something you need to make?"
"Right. A magi-device that might be able to pinpoint the location of whatever everyone is searching for so desperately."
Hearing that, Eira’s instincts as a magi craftsman flared up.
"I get it. Use any materials you find here. In exchange—though it’s not much of an exchange—is it okay if I watch you work?"
"Of course."
Jin paced through the laboratory, gathering the necessary materials and setting them on a workbench.
"Also, it would be great if I had some Mityanite, but I suppose that’s asking too much here… Reiko, contact Laojun and have some sent over."
"Yes, Father."
"?"
Eira didn't understand the exchange, but three seconds later, she nearly jumped out of her skin when a piece of ore suddenly materialized on the workbench.
"Whoa! Wh-What on earth was that?!"
Jin promised to explain later and immediately set to work crafting the Modulation Commander.